Nepal Faces Acute Shortage of Entomologists Amid Rising Vector-Borne Diseases

Nepal is facing a critical shortage of entomologists—specialists in insect-borne diseases—despite a growing burden of illnesses such as dengue, malaria, scrub typhus, Japanese encephalitis, kala-azar, filariasis, and chikungunya. According to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD), there are currently only two approved government positions for entomologists across the country, forcing health authorities to rely on trained general health workers for vector surveillance and disease control. Health experts warn that climate change and rapid urbanization are accelerating the spread of vector-borne diseases into hilly and mountainous regions, while the lack of specialized manpower has weakened Nepal's outbreak response capacity. Officials have called for the creation of permanent government positions and the introduction of undergraduate and postgraduate entomology programs in universities to address the widening skills gap. In the meantime, the government has been providing basic vector-control training to health workers and strengthening rapid response teams to prepare for increased disease risks during the monsoon season.